Primary, sexual and reproductive, and mental healthcare providers treating LGBTQ + patients: Guidelines for affirming and culturally competent clinical practices

LGBTQ + individuals are well known for mobilizing substantial resilience efforts to confront stigma and discrimination not only within society at large, but also—and more specifically—within healthcare settings. Health disparities affecting LGBTQ+ populations arise from cis-heteronormative assumptions embedded within societal structures—including healthcare systems—together with homo- and trans-negative attitudes and behaviors often exhibited by healthcare providers. These disparities are largely driven by providers’ limited knowledge and inadequate preparedness to care for LGBTQ+ patients, resulting in unmet health needs within these communities. The current article first outlines the literature concerning healthcare providers’ attitudes toward and knowledge of the specific health needs of sexual and gender-marginalized patients, across the fields of primary care, sexual and reproductive health, and mental health. It then presents guidelines for best clinical practice when treating LGBTQ + patients, both in general terms and within the aforementioned healthcare domains. Finally, the article discusses implications for clinical practice and provides recommendations for social policy, emphasizing the importance of fostering sensitive, affirming, and culturally competent care in healthcare contexts to validate LGBTQ + identities and enable sexual and gender-marginalized patients to meet their specific health needs.